Andrelton Simmons (SS)

Andrelton Simmons went 1-for-4 in the sixth spot, striking out twice in a 2-1 Angels victory over Boston on Thursday.

Fantasy Impact: Simmons' performance on Thursday is a stark contrast to the success he has found over the last seven games. Picking up two of his three strikeouts during that stretch in Thursday's action, Simmons is hitting .379 over the past week, and has 20 hits in his last 15 contests.

Andrelton Simmons is expected to begin his minor league rehab assignment this week. He's been out since the beginning of May due to his thumb injury.

Fantasy Impact: Simmons could be back as soon as this weekend if all goes well during his assignment. He's provided more value for the Angels with the glove than the bat. As such, he's not extremely fantasy relevant.

Andrelton Simmons was forced to exit Sunday's game after injuring his wrist. He suffered the injury while making a diving stop in the field. He's been diagnosed with a sprained thumb. The team will determine the extent of the injury Monday. (Source: Mike DiGiovanna on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Hopefully, this isn't similar to Jhonny Peralta's injury which is sidelining him for an extended stretch. The team should provide more info Monday, likely with an expected time frame or a move to the disabled list. Simmons was struggling mightily at the plate this year (.526 OPS) and likely wasn't counted on in many fantasy leagues. Cliff Pennington is the team's backup at SS.

Andrelton Simmons is not playing Wednesday due to tightness in his throwing arm. (Source: Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Mike Scioscia said that Simmons would be back for Wednesday's Spring Training game but the lineup says otherwise. It will be important to follow up on the injury to make sure Simmons is okay for opening day.

Andrelton Simmons picked up his first hit of the spring on Tuesday. He is now 1-for-11 after missing the first couple of games this spring with a sore arm.

Fantasy Impact: Simmons is still settling in with his new team after an off-season trade from the Braves. His sore arm that limited his action early on is not expected to be a problem going forward. With more consistent playing time now, Simmons should get more comfortable at the plate moving forward.

Gold Glove shortstop Andrelton Simmons switched leagues on Thursday night, as the Braves traded Andrelton Simmons to the Los Angeles Angels for Erick Aybar, top prospect Sean Newcomb, and $3 million. In February 2014, Simmons signed a seven-year, $58 million contract with Atlanta, but trade rumors did follow Simmons for a while. (Source: Jesse Sanchez MLB on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Andrelton Simmons moving out of Atlanta is the next in many moves by the Braves, who saw Craig Kimbrel, Justin Upton, and Jason Heyward depart after the 2014 season. Surprisingly, for fantasy purposes, the Braves' haul is actually better for fantasy purposes, as Simmons only had a .660 OPS in 2015 and a .666 OPS in 499 career games. Aybar slumped to a .639 OPS in 2015, but has averaged 18 stolen bases and a .701 OPS since 2009 and was an All-Star in 2014. Newcomb may be the best fantasy player in this trade for 2016 and beyond, though, as he had a 2.38 ERA and 11.11 K/9 in 2015 between Single-A, High-A, and Double-A. Look for Aybar and Simmons to be AL-only and NL-only SS respectively, while Newcomb is a fringe SP4 for 2016 and a future SP2 at a minimum.

Andrelton Simmons got the bat going in Atlanta's win over the Phillies on Monday. Simmons went 3-4 with an RBI and a run scored.

Fantasy Impact: Simmons has proven that he is elite in the field, he just has to prove it at the plate now. Hopefully Simmons can stay hot at the plate down the stretch. If he can find a way to put it all together, watch out.

Simmons went 0-for-1 with three walks in the Braves 6-3 loss to the Rockies on Wednesday night. (Source: ESPN)

Fantasy Impact: Simmons is batting .438 over the last week and has been a consistent on-base threat out of the eighth slot of the lineup. However, these three walks are an aberration as Simmons rarely takes pitches or shows patience at the plate. Chalk it up to the Rockies pitchers' lack of control.

Simmons batted eighth collecting a single and a walk as the Braves lost 1-0 to St. Louis.

Fantasy Impact: Simmons' hot start to 2015 has been met with a July in which he hit .210 with one extra-base hit. He simply does not provide adequate value at the SS position with only one stolen base on the year. His splits are also fluky this year as he's hit .182 versus lefties, so be careful to assume his matchups.

All four were for singles but a welcome sight for Simmons, who has cooled off somewhat in recent weeks.

Fantasy Impact: Simmons is going to be thought of as a good addition to fantasy rosters this year. He has been good in daily leagues as well. The hitting side has yet to catch up to the defensive skills but he is someone who is steady and reliable at SS, MI, or Utility.

He also scored a run. His numbers have taken a dip recently but it's just a temporary slump. He has regained his swing and has developed a good approach at the plate. His K rate is outstanding, standing at just 2% for June.

Fantasy Impact: Simmons is still good for fantasy teams and stands to improve as he goes. Although he had a disappointing season in 2014, he's proven that is far away in the rear-view mirror.

Simmons had two singles with two runs scored and two RBIs while hitting 2nd in the Braves lineup.

Fantasy Impact: Simmons has been used by Fredi Gonzalez all over the lineup this year. Hitting in the 2-hole Friday night, Simmons got back on track after two hitless games. Currently, he is 7th in ESPN's Player Rater system, providing solid numbers at an offensively inept position.

He was hitting in the #2 spot, where Cameron Maybin has been hitting, but with Maybin out 2-3 days coach Fredi Gonzalez out Simmons in the slot. Simmons responded well, hitting his twelfth double and scoring his 33rd run.

Fantasy Impact: Simmons scored well for owners tonight. He has slipped recently but here is where patience will pay big rewards for you. You most likely got him cheap and he has rewarded you. Hang in there with him.

Simmons was back in a comfortable spot for him, batting eighth. Seriously, he prefers and performs well batting in the lower-half of the lineup. Coach Fredi Gonzalez knows this and with the addition of 3B Juan Uribe, might be able to keep Simmons in his preferred spot.

Fantasy Impact: He is a serviceable SS for fantasy purposes. He is not expensive and usually produces for owners. He's a safe play.

He also scored a run. Simmons was batting in the 7th spot tonight. He seems to be more productive in the lower part of the order so it's a good sign that coach Fredi Gonzalez is playing to his strengths and comfort zone.

Fantasy Impact: Simmons has been mired in a slump so this is a good sign. His K rate is still low at 7,4% and his peripherals are slightly above average. Simmons is improving over a disappointing year at the plate last year.

Simmons has done best career-wise hitting toward the bottom of the order. Problem is, most of the Braves hitters fall into the same category, which forces coach Fredi Gonzalez to toy with the batting order every day in an effort to find what works. To date, the numbers show that the Braves have been lucky to play .500 ball thus far.

Fantasy Impact: Simmons has shown improvement this year at the plate when compared to last year, but in order to maximize his potential Gonzalez has to play him with his strengths in mind. Owners need to watch this closely over the next two weeks and then make determinations based upon results. Gonzalez surely will settle on a consistent batting order soon.

He still has a low K rate of 7.2% and is on track to hit around 40 doubles this year.

Fantasy Impact: He is a reliable fantasy contributor and has rebounded from the disappointing year at the plate last season. As long as his K rate stays pretty low, many will be glad they scooped him up.

Simmons did something unusual tonight: He struck out twice, so hopefully he won't slide back into 2014 habits. He has been a pleasant, mild surprise this year with his offensive output moving him into hot waiver wire material. Tonight's home run was his third of the season while he also has nine doubles so far.

Fantasy Impact: Simba is really achieving remarkably well after a disappointing year in 2014. His owners can be reasonably assured that he will continue to be a productive, reliable bat in their lineups.

The Simmons you saw last year at the plate is gone, and nobody is happier than Andrelton. His work with new hitting coach Kevin Seitzer has been a success and what we are seeing is a hitter ready to surpass any previous year's stats in a potential breakout year for him.

Fantasy Impact: More and more are catching on with Simmons' resurgence but if he is still available in your leagues, pick him up now. He is a reliable and consistent producer.

Simmons has made a remarkable turnaround from last year, offensively speaking. His wOBA is .360, which is near-great, and his ISO sits at .170, and his K rate is a meager 4.3%. He also hit his eighth double of the season tonight.

Fantasy Impact: The news about Simmons is he is only owned in about a quarter of leagues. If you have needs at SS, MI, or Utility, then consider Simmons. You'll be pleased. He is more than serviceable, offering a reliable alternative at his position. Cheap for DFS as well.

He also scored two runs and walked twice. His K rate is near a career low 5.3%. Simmons is in the average range with a .315 wOBA and has been a consistent producer at the plate thus far.

Fantasy Impact: Simmons is coming along well offensively and should continue to progress in the coming weeks. I believe he is a cheap value pick in DFS and would be a good addition to most fantasy rosters.

Simmons is carrying a respectable .279 batting average this season and has done a commendable job of rebounding from last years disappointing results at the plate. He enjoys a beyond excellent 6% K rate and has 10 singles, five doubles, a triple, and a home run in 63 at-bats thus far.

Fantasy Impact: Simmons is a worthwhile add to your roster if you have space and need. He will prove to be a player that will help you with a reliable bat at SS.

He struck out once but otherwise is still doing well at the plate. Simmons is rebounding from a disappointing year at the plate last year. He and coach Kevin Seitzer are working well together and we should all see better results this year.

Fantasy Impact: I think Simmons is a legitimate pickup off the wire. He is still widely available but it appears that he will show great improvement from last year and return to the more productive Simmons we knew in 2013.

Simmons was the only real fireplug the Braves going today, accounting for two of the three runs today for a weak offense. With Freeman in a slump, Simmons is enjoying a seven-game hitting streak, with a slash line of .291/.339/.418.

Fantasy Impact: Simmons would be a safe addition to your rosters. He brings good (not great) stats and is a reliable producer.

He is now hitting a cool .467 to go with 12 RBIs in 10 spring games. The question is, where will he bat in the Braves order?

Fantasy Impact: Hopefully, he won't be buried in the back end of the batting order, which is a veritable wasteland as far as the Braves are concerned. But with Young and Markakis at the top of the order, who knows? He is worth a draft pick, but in mid to late rounds.

Simmons was also hit by a pitch on the elbow today. It was immediately iced, and although he felt initial numbness his elbow starting feeling much better after treatment. He is hitting a blistering .481 on the spring, with 10 RBIs and an 1.130 OPS. (Source: Mark Bowman and Brian Mctaggart)

Fantasy Impact: I have written about this but it bears repeating: Simmons is responding well to new hitting coach Kevin Seitzer, and if he regains his 2013 stroke, he will have a lot of fantasy upside. So far, it appears he is doing just that.

Simmons is really responding well to his new hitting coach, Kevin Seitzer. He is now 9-for-16 this spring with one HR.

Fantasy Impact: If this continues Simmons will be sneaking up in fantasy drafts. It might be a good idea to keep an eye on his numbers in the coming days. He's a gamer and doesn't take many days off. While not elite at the plate, he is certainly looking like he won't hurt you.

Although he struggled at the plate last year, Simmons had 27 doubles and six triples in 606 ABs during the 2013 campaign, but in 2014 he lost his swing. Even in 2013, his BA was .248 while his OBP was .296 and OPS was .692. Not very impressive. But he is responding to a new hitting coach and it seems that he is getting his old swing back.

Fantasy Impact: Simmons is 26 and still maturing as a hitter, and thus becoming a more productive fantasy player. If he gets his swing back his numbers will improve and fantasy owners will have a decent option at SS without the high cost, but with tremendous upside.

Simmons is looking like his old self under hitting coach Kevin Seitzer, having gone 5-for-9 in his first three games of ST. He is also hitting on all cylinders in the field as well. (Source: Michael Cunningham)

Fantasy Impact: If Simmons is getting his old swing back, then he is worth an add on fantasy rosters. Fantasy drafters will have to add him to their watch lists leading up to their draft.

Simmons looked fine in the field as well. He hit lead-off in the game and he seems fully recovered from the oblique strain. (Source: David O'Brien)

Fantasy Impact: The Braves and Simmons are hoping to recapture his offensive promise that he showed oh so long ago. Watch him this spring, if that old swing is back, he might be worthy of consideration for your lineup.

Fredi Gonzalez confirmed Andrelton Simmons is scheduled to make his first spring training start Thursday. Simmons is recovering from an oblique strain.

Fantasy Impact: Andrelton Simmons hopes to improve on his offensive struggles in 2014, only hitting .244 while slugging .331. While Simmons is a gold glove in the field, his offense hasn't brought much to the fantasy table the last 2 seasons.

The Braves have been very careful with Simmons' oblique strain and he is getting closer to a full return to all baseball activities. Welcome news for a team bereft of great news. (Source: Mark Bowman on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Simmons is a bright spot on the Braves roster but it remains to be seen if that translates into fantasy success. If he returns to his old hitting form he might be a decent pickup.

There was never much concern over the strained oblique and this news reinforces the fact that Simmons is and will be fine. (Source: David O'Brien on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Look for Simmons to continue his stellar play at SS and hopefully regain his early form in hitting. Simmons might be worth a look as a utility player for your team depending on how his hitting stroke looks.

Simmons will likely be held back several days, perhaps even 10 or so, as a precaution. This is not a major issue, as he will have plenty of time to prepare for the season opener. (Source: David O'Brien on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: The Braves will likely struggle this year and have little fantasy relevance going into the 2015 campaign. Simmons has potential to be relevant because the Braves have new hitting coaches and might revive his early propensity to rake line drives for doubles.